Resolution limits MAC boss’ acts during China trip

By Shih Hsiu-chuan / Staff reporter

Placards on the central government’s budget bill and legal amendments proposed by the Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) are displayed on the floor of the Legislative Yuan in Taipei yesterday on the last day before the legislature goes into recess. One of the items passed was a resolution initiated by the DPP and the Taiwan Solidarity Union to restrict what Mainland Affairs Council Minister Wang Yu-chi may say or do during his upcoming official trip to China and meeting with the head of the Taiwan Affairs Office.

Photo: CNA

The legislature yesterday adopted a resolution to cover Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Minister Wang Yu-chi’s (王郁琦) upcoming trip to China that drew a red line in defense of the nation’s sovereignty and right to self-determination.

Legislative Speaker Wang Jin-pyng (王金平) said the resolution, which was attached to the central government budget bill that was passed by the legislature yesterday, has the same legal effect as a bill that has been passed.

Negotiations have been under way to have Wang Yu-chi meet his Chinese counterpart, Taiwan Affairs Office Director Zhang Zhijun (張志軍), in China next month and for Zhang to make a return visit at a later date.

The meetings are part of Taipei and Beijing’s efforts to institutionalize cross-strait interactions and replace the semi-official channels between the Straits Exchange Foundation and the Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Straits.

The Democratic Progressive Party and the Taiwan Solidarity Union jointly initiated the resolution, citing concern about the political agenda of President Ma Ying-jeou’s (馬英九) administration in his remaining time in office.

The resolution stipulates that during his trip to China Wang Yu-chi may not sign any document or issue a joint statement of any kind that accepts or echoes Beijing’s claim of a “one China” framework or its opposition to Taiwanese independence that could endanger the nation’s sovereignty.

If he fails to abide by the resolution, the legislature will hold him politically responsible.

The resolution also stipulates that the minister should also not engage in any talks with Chinese officials on issues related to “one China,” a “one China” framework, “one China, two systems,” a “military mutual-trust mechanism,” a “peace agreement” or “interim political relationships” and that he should not sign any documents or press statements regarding those subjects.

Restrictions

‧ The Mainland Affairs Council minister may not sign a document or issue a joint statement that accepts Beijing’s claim of a “one China” framework or its opposition to Taiwanese independence.

‧ He may not engage in talks on issues linked to “one China,” a “one China” framework, “one China, two systems” or a peace agreement.

In addition, he must report to the legislature on his trip and meeting with Zhang upon his return to Taiwan.

Wang Yu-chi briefed lawmakers on his upcoming trip during a closed-door meeting on Friday last week.

That same day, the council promised that Wang Yu-chi would not discuss politically sensitive issues during the trip or repeat claims related to the “one China” framework.